The mission of the H2A is to facilitate critical thinking, foster constructive social change and unity to instill tolerance, civic participation, social reform, and economic sustainability, while advancing Hip-Hop's culture through innovative programming.


About us

ORGANIZATION

Formed in 2002, the Hip-Hop Association [H2A] is a 501(c)(3) non-profit community building organization and Union Square Arts Award recipient. The H2A educates and empowers the community through the use of media, technology, resources, social entrepreneurship, and leadership development.

MISSION

The mission of the H2A is to facilitate critical thinking, foster constructive social change and unity to instill tolerance, civic participation, social reform, and economic sustainability, while advancing Hip-Hop's culture through innovative programming.

HIP-HOP OVERVIEW

Over the course of its thirty-year history, Hip-Hop has expanded into a multigenerational, multicultural and multilingual youth movement encompassing music, art, dance, fashion, business enterprises, a distinctive vernacular, and a D.I.Y. (do it yourself) mindset. At its finest, these expressions are used to address and overcome communal issues and challenges. The H2A's objective is to cultivate and preserve the positive ways to utilize its power and counter the negative images and commercial misappropriation of Hip-Hop.

GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS

Since the commencement of the H2A, community partners were developed with the goal of sharing knowledge and building networks. We aim to assist and support other groups that share the same goal. We have become model leaders in the field and serve as mentors and sponsors for individuals and organizations that want to launch their own Hip-Hop projects and/or want to enrich their programs.

The H2A has teamed up with over 75 local and international organizations including, Zulu Nation, Rock Steady Crew, Hip-Hop Congress, Grassroots Artists Movement (GAME), United Nations Association, Pan African Film and Arts Festival, University of Wisconsin – Madison, University of Alaska – Anchorage, Hutus Hip-Hop Film Festival (Brazil), Hypnotik Festival (Spain), Intermundos (Colombia), Baobab Connections (S. Africa/Netherlands), What's the 411? (Canada), and Black Filmmaker Magazine Media and International Film Festival (UK). The Hip-Hop Association has facilitated panel discussions, workshops, and exhibition of films on an international from addressing a myriad of themes from social justice to women's issues to the African Diaspora to the global mediascape.